FORMER Scottish MSP Margaret Curran has been appointed to Labour's shadow cabinet in a reshuffle by UK leader Ed Miliband.

Ms Curran replaces Glasgow North MP Ann McKechin as shadow secretary of state for Scotland.

Elected as the MP for Glasgow East in last year's general election, Ms Curran stood down as an MSP before the Scottish elections earlier this year, having served as a member of the Scottish Parliament since 1999.

Commenting on her appointment, she said: "It is both a privilege and a significant responsibility to represent Scotland in the shadow cabinet.

"I am delighted Ed has asked me to take up this role. I would like to thank Ann McKechin for all her work, especially on the detail of the Scotland Bill and her time as a minister before.

"These are really tough times for Scots. We are in the midst of a jobs crisis, the economy is stagnating and people are worried about the future.

"I am determined not just to hold the Tories and Lib Dems to account, but to speak up for people right across Scotland.

"I will be Scotland's voice in the shadow cabinet, putting Scotland's case right at the heart of Westminster."

During her career as an MSP, Ms Curran held several posts, including a stint as minister for communities under Jack McConnell's leadership.

Following her election as an MP in 2010, Ms Curran was made shadow minister for disabilities in the shadow work and pensions team.

She had previously made a bid for the Glasgow East seat at Westminster in the 2008 by-election but was defeated by SNP candidate John Mason.

Ms McKechin said: "After three years on the frontline of Scottish politics which has included two national elections and three hard-fought Westminster by-elections, I will be concentrating more of my time on my constituency and on other policy areas that I am passionate about.

"I wish Margaret, Ed and the new team every success in the coming weeks and months, and offer them all my full support."

Elsewhere in the shadow cabinet, Douglas Alexander, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, remains as Shadow Foreign Secretary while East Renfrewshire MP Jim Murphy continues as Shadow Secretary of State for Defence.